VA Disability Rating for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Rated 0–100% under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
OCD (DC 9404) is rated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Common in combat veterans as a co-occurring condition with PTSD; checking, hyper-vigilance rituals, and intrusive thoughts can overlap. File secondary to PTSD if applicable.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Diagnosed; no impairment. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Occasional decrease in work efficiency. |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | Reduced reliability and productivity. |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | Deficiencies in most areas. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Total occupational and social impairment. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
- →At 50%: $1,132.90/mo · $13,595/year, tax-free
- →At 70%: $1,808.45/mo · $21,701/year, tax-free
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd)
- C&P with a psychiatrist; document time spent on rituals (rule of thumb: 1+ hr/day = significant impairment).
- Y-BOCS or similar OCD severity scale results help.
Common secondary conditions
- +Depression
- +Anxiety
- +Sleep disturbance
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Frequently secondary to PTSD — file as secondary to avoid pyramiding issues.
- TBI residual: post-concussive obsessive-compulsive symptoms are ratable.
Frequently asked
Will rating PTSD and OCD separately get me a higher combined rating?
No — VA cannot rate two mental health conditions separately under § 4.130 if they share overlapping symptoms (the pyramiding rule). The higher of the two is what counts. File OCD only if it represents distinct impairment.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.